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Purpose Semicolons help you connect closely related ideas when a style mark stronger than a comma is needed. By using semicolons effectively, you can make your writing sound more sophisticated (University of Wisconsin).

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Use #1 A semicolon can be used by itself to connect closely related sentences (independent clauses). The nurse will see you now; the doctor will see you later.

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Use #2 A semicolon can be used with an adverbial conjunction or transitional phrase to connect closely related sentences: Brian studied hard; as a result, he earned an excellent grade on Mr. Bannecker’s rigorous grammar test.

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Use #3 Semicolons may be used to separate items in a series when they are unusually long or contain internal punctuation. I am currently taking Spanish, which I enjoy; math, which I find difficult; and Mr. B’s English II class, which is my favorite subject. Mr. B’s favorite students are Erica, who brings Mr. B a cup of coffee every morning; Ethan, who frequently asks Mr. B for additional homework; and Megan, who is a distant relative of J.D. Salinger. I traveled to St. Louis, Missouri; Lawrence, Kansas; and Boston, Massachusetts.

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Practice Sam Bradford threw an amazing jaw- dropping pass to the receiver the receiver was then pummeled by a safety. Sunny’s hair looks better today than it did yesterday however it still needs work.

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Answers Sam Bradford threw an amazing, jaw- dropping pass to the receiver; the receiver was then pummeled by a safety. Sunny’s hair looks better today than it did yesterday; however, it still needs work.

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Colons The main rule for correctly punctuating with colons is to make sure that what comes before the colon is a complete grammatical construction (usually a complete sentence). 1.We often use colons to set up lists or series of items. 2.You can use a colon to introduce a long quotation. 3. Use a colon to signal the reader that a second complete sentence explains a closely related preceding sentence. 4.Use colons to separate an explanation, rule, or example from a preceding independent clause.

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Practice Mr. B encourages his students to do three things talk ideas, write words, and be amazing. There is one quote that every student should consider “Eighty percent of success is just showing up.”